Container stoppers

ABSTRACT

A container stopper adapted to seal the mouth of a container is disclosed to include a hollow elastic stopper body insertable into the mouth of a container, and a plug rod inserted into the axially extended center through hole of the stopper body and vertically moved between a first position, where the stopper body is radially expanded by the plug rod against the periphery of the mouth of the container to seal the mouth of the container, and a second position, where the plug rod released the pressure from the stopper body, for enabling the stopper body to be removed from the mouth of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to container stoppers and, more particularly, to such a container stopper that can repeatedly used to seal the mouth of a container tightly.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A container, for example, a bottle of wine or the like, is normally sealed with a cock. The cock keeps the bottle in a good sealing status. However, the cock is not durable in use because it tends to be damaged accidentally. Further, the cock is less attractive in outer appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a container stopper, which can be used repeatedly to seal the mouth of a container in a good sealing status. It is another object of the present invention to provide a container stopper, which fits the shape of the container, causing a sense of beauty. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the container stopper comprises a hollow elastic stopper body insertable into the mouth of a container, and a plug rod inserted into the axially extended center through hole of the stopper body and vertically moved between a first position, where the stopper body is radially expanded by the plug rod against the periphery of the mouth of the container to seal the mouth of the container, and a second position, where the plug rod released the pressure from the stopper body, for enabling the stopper body to be removed from the mouth of the container. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the container stopper comprises an elastic stopper body fixedly fastened to the mouth of a container, the stopper body having an axially extended center through hole; a plug rod inserted through the axially extended center through hole of the stopper body and axially movable relative to the stopper body between a first position where the plug rod close the passage through the axially extended center through hole of the stopper body and a second position where the plug rod opens the passage of the axially extended through hole of the stopper body, the plug rod having a bottom cone, a plurality of radial through holes through the bottom cone, and an axial hole axially upwardly extended from the center of the bottom cone to a top end thereof in communication with the radial through holes, the radial through holes being received inside the stopper body and sealed by the stopper body when the plug rod moved to the first position, the radial through holes being extended out of the stopper body when the plug rod moved to the second position; and a lever pivoted to the top end of the plug rod and adapted to move the plug rod between the first position and the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a cutaway of a container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing an application example of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 illustrates another application example of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 shows still another application example of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 6 shows still another application example of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 7 shows an alternate form of the container stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a cutaway of a container stopper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the container stopper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 8 but showing a hard insert installed in the stopper body.

[0016]FIG. 11 is a cutaway of an alternate form of the container stopper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing showing an application example of the container stopper shown in FIG. 11.

[0018]FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a container stopper according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the container stopper according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 15 is a sectional assembly view of the container stopper according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing an application example of the container stopper according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 17 is a cutaway showing a container stopper installed in a container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the container stopper of the fourth embodiment of the present invention opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container stopper 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a hard plug rod 11 and a hollow cylindrical elastic stopper body 12. The plug rod 11 comprises a top handhold portion 111, a positioning flange 112 extended around the periphery of the bottom side of the handhold portion 111, a through hole 113 transversely extended through the top handhold portion 111, bottom cone 115, and a tapered shank 114 connected between the top handhold portion 111 and the bottom cone 115. The tapered shank 114 has a diameter gradually reduced in direction from the bottom cone 115 toward the top handhold portion 111. The stopper body 12 has a tapered upper section 121 made gradually greater toward the top, an axially extended center through hole 122 adapted to receive the plug rod 11.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 1 again, when in use, the stopper body 12 is inserted into the mouth 31 of a container 3, the tapered upper section 121 is stopped above the mouth 31, preventing the stopper body 12 from falling to the inside of the container 3. Thereafter, the plug rod 11 is inserted through the axially extended center through hole 122 to expand the stopper body 12 radially against the inner surface of the mouth 31 of the container 3, sealing the container 3 tightly. When the plug rod 11 inserted into the axially extended center through hole 122 to expand the stopper body 12 radially outwards, the stopper body 12 is stopped against the inner surface of the mouth 31 and closely pressed on the periphery of the tapered shank 114 and the periphery of the bottom cone 115, preventing a leakage. When removing the container stopper 1 from the container 3, hold the tapered upper section 121 with one hand and then press the plug rod 11 with the other hand to force the positioning flange 112 into the inside of the axially extended center through hole 122, at this time the diameter of the lower part of the stopper body 12 is relatively reduced and disengaged from the inner surface of the mouth 31, and therefore the container stopper 1 can easily be pulled out of the mouth 31 of the container 3.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIG. 3 again, the container stopper 1 can be used to seal a container of any of a variety of shapes. Further, a cord member 4 or chain 4′ may be fastened to the through hole 113.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the container stopper 1 can be installed in an application stick 116 and mounted with an ornamental member 5 for use to seal the mouth 21 of a bubble-blowing solution container 2.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7, the container stopper 1′ is shown comprised of a hard plug rod 11′ and an elastic stopper body 12′. The plug rod 11′ comprises a top handhold portion 111′, a positioning flange 112′ extended around the periphery of the bottom side of the handhold portion 111′, a bottom cone 114′, and a tapered shank 113′ connected between the top handhold portion 111′ and the bottom cone 114′. The stopper body 12′ has a shoulder 122′ extended around the periphery of the top end. When inserting the stopper body 12′ into the mouth 31 of a container 3, the shoulder 122′ is press on the periphery of the mouth 31, stopping the stopper body 12′ in position. Further, the positioning flange 112′ has a bottom surface radially downwardly sloping toward the tapered shank 113′ fitting a sloping inner surface portion 121′ of the stopper body 12′.

[0029]FIGS. 8 and 9 show another alternate form of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the container stopper 6 is comprised of a plug rod 61, an elastic stopper body 62, and a knob 63. The stopper body 62 has a tapered upper section 623 made gradually greater toward the top, an axially extended center through hole 621 adapted to receive the plug rod 61, and an inner thread 622 spirally extended in the axially extended center through hole 621. The plug rod 61 has a bottom cone 614, a rectangular top coupling block 613, a shank 611 connected between the bottom cone 614 and the rectangular top coupling block 613, and an outer thread 612 spirally extended around the periphery of the shank 611. The plug rod 61 is inserted into the axially extended center through hole 621 of the stopper body 62 from the bottom side to force the outer thread 612 into engagement with the inner thread 622, keeping the rectangular top coupling block 613 suspended out of the stopper body 62. The knob 63 has a rectangular bottom coupling hole 631 adapted to accommodate the rectangular top coupling block 613. When rotating the knob 63 in one direction after installation of the container stopper 6 in the mouth of a container, the stopper body 62 is expanded to seal the mouth of the container. On the contrary, when rotating the knob 63 in the reversed direction, the stopper body 62 is released and disengaged from the inner surface of the mouth of the container, enabling the container stopper 6 to be removed from the container.

[0030]FIG. 10 shows still another alternate form of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with the exception of a hard insert 44 in the stopper body 62 to guide movement of the plug rod 61 relative to the stopper body 62.

[0031]FIGS. 11 and 12 show still another alternate form of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the container stopper 6′ is comprised of a plug rod 61′, an elastic stopper body 62′, a knob 63′, and a hard insert 64′. The stopper body 62′ has a tapered upper section 623′ made gradually greater toward the top, an axially extended center through hole 621′ adapted to receive the plug rod 61, and an inner thread 622′ spirally extended in the axially extended center through hole 621′. The hard insert 64′ is a hollow member fixedly fastened to the inside of the stopper body 62′ around the upper end of the axially extended center through hole 621′. The plug rod 61′ has a bottom cone 614′, a rectangular top coupling block 613′, a shank 611′ connected between the bottom cone 614′ and the rectangular top coupling block 613′, an outer thread 612′ spirally extended around the periphery of the shank 611′, a horizontal through hole 615′ transversely extended through the bottom cone 614′, and a vertical hole 616′ vertically upwardly extended from the horizontal through hole 615′ through the shank 611′ and the rectangular top coupling block 613′. The plug rod 61′ is inserted into the axially extended center through hole 621′ of the stopper body 62′ from the bottom side to force the outer thread 612′ into engagement with the inner thread 622′, keeping the rectangular top coupling block 613′ suspended out of the stopper body 62′. The knob 63′ has a rectangular bottom coupling hole 631′ adapted to accommodate the rectangular top coupling block 613′. When rotating the knob 63′ in one direction after installation of the container stopper 6′ in the mouth 81″ of a container 8″, the stopper body 62′ is expanded to seal the mouth of the container. On the contrary, when rotating the knob 63′ in the reversed direction, the stopper body 62′ is released and disengaged from the inner surface of the mouth 81″ of the container 8″, enabling the container stopper 6′ to be removed from the container 8″.

[0032] FIGS. 13˜16 show still another alternate form of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the container stopper 7 is comprised of a plug rod 71, a stopper body 72, a cap 73, a coupling plate 733, and a locating plate 734. The stopper body 72 has an axially extended center through hole 721, an inner thread 722 spirally extended in the axially extended center through hole 721, and a recessed locating hole 723 in the top end around the axially extended center through hole 721. The plug rod 71 has a bottom cone 714, a rectangular top coupling block 713, a shank 711 connected between the bottom cone 714 and the rectangular top coupling block 713, and an outer thread 712 spirally extended around the periphery of the shank 711. The plug rod 71 is inserted into the axially extended center through hole 721 of the stopper body 72 from the bottom side to force the outer thread 712 into engagement with the inner thread 722, keeping the rectangular top coupling block 713 suspended out of the stopper body 72. The locating plate 734 is fastened to the cap 73 and partially press-fitted into the recessed locating hole 723 of the stopper body 72. The coupling plate 733 is supported on the locating plate 734 and fixedly fastened to the inside the cap 73, having a rectangular center coupling hole 7331 coupled to the rectangular top coupling block 713 of the plug rod 71. The cap 73 further has a toothed bottom tear strip 731 sealed to the mouth 81 of the container 8. When opening the cap 73 to open the container, the toothed bottom tear strip 731 is broken. According to this design, the stopper body 72 is radially expanded or released by means of controlling the direction of rotation of the cap 73.

[0033]FIGS. 17 and 18 show still another alternate form of the present invention. The container 8′ has a mouth 81′, and a recess 82′ at one side of the mouth 81′. A container stopper 9 is installed in the container 8′ to seal the mouth 81′. The container stopper 9 comprises a plug rod 91, a hollow elastic stopper body 92, and a ring-head lever 93. The stopper body 92 is fixedly fastened to the mouth 81′, having an axially extended center through hole 921. The plug rod 91 is inserted through the axially extended center through hole 921 of the stopper body 92, having a vertical hole 911 axially extended from the center of the bottom cone 912 to the top end and a plurality of radial through holes 913 radially extended from the bottom end of the vertical hole 911 to the periphery of the bottom cone 912. The ring-head lever 93 is pivoted to the top end of the plug rod 91 outside the stopper body 92 and rested in the recess 82′. When lifting the ring-head lever 93 (see FIG. 18), the plug rod 91 is lowered, and the radial through holes 913 are moved out of the stopper body 92 to the inside space of the container 8′, enabling contained liquid to be poured out of the container 8′ through the radial through holes 913 and the vertical hole 911. When the ring-head lever 93 lowered and rested in the recess 82′, the plug rod 91 is lifted relative to the stopper body 92, and the radial through holes 913 are moved to the inside of the stopper body 92 and sealed again.

[0034] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What the invention claimed is:
 1. A container stopper adapted to seal the mouth of a container, comprising: an elastic stopper body for insertion into the mouth of a container, said elastic stopper body having a tapered upper section made gradually greater toward a top side thereof, and an axially extended center through hole; and a plug rod inserted into the axially extended center through hole of said stopper body and vertically moved between a first position to expand said stopper body against the periphery of the mouth of the container in which said stopper body is inserted, and a second position to release said stopper body from the periphery of the mouth of the container, said plug rod comprising a bottom cone and a tapered shank vertically upwardly extended from a reduced top side of said bottom cone, said tapered shank having a diameter gradually reduced in direction from said bottom cone toward a top end thereof.
 2. The container stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plug rod has a handhold portion at a top end thereof and a positioning flange extended around the periphery of said handhold portion at a bottom side.
 3. The container stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper body comprises a shoulder extended around the periphery of said tapered upper section and adapted to stop said tapered upper section outside the mouth of the container in which said stopper body is inserted.
 4. The container stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper body comprising: an elastic stopper body for insertion into the mouth of a container, said elastic stopper body having a tapered upper section made gradually greater toward a top side thereof, and an axially extended center screw hole; and a plug rod, said plug rod comprising a threaded shank threaded into the screw hole of said stopper body, a polygonal coupling block located on a top end of said threaded shank and disposed outside said stopper body, a bottom cone located on a bottom end of said threaded shank and disposed outside said stopper body; and a knob fastened to said plug rod and adapted to rotate said plug rod relative to said stopper body, said knob having a polygonal bottom coupling hole coupled to the polygonal coupling block of said plug rod.
 5. The container stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plug rod has a horizontal through hole transversely extended through said bottom cone, and a vertical hole upwardly perpendicularly extended from said horizontal through hole and axially extended through said threaded shank and said polygonal coupling block.
 6. The container stopper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper body comprising: an elastic stopper body, said stopper body having an axially extended center screw hole, and a recessed locating hole in a top end thereof around said axially extended center screw hole; a plug rod, said plug rod having bottom cone stopped at a bottom side of said stopper body, a rectangular top coupling block suspended in the recessed locating hole of said stopper body, a threaded shank connected between said bottom cone and said rectangular top coupling block and threaded into the screw hole of said stopper body; a rotary cap; a locating plate fastened to said cap and partially press-fitted into the recessed locating hole of said stopper body; and a coupling plate supported on said locating plate and fixedly fastened to said cap, said coupling plate having a rectangular center coupling hole coupled to the rectangular top coupling block of said plug rod.
 7. A container stopper installed in the mouth of a container and controlled to close/open said mount, comprising: an elastic stopper body fixedly fastened to said mouth, said stopper body having an axially extended center through hole; a plug rod inserted through the axially extended center through hole of said stopper body and axially movable relative to said stopper body between a first position where said plug rod close the passage through the axially extended center through hole of said stopper body and a second position where said plug rod opens the passage of the axially extended through hole of said stopper body, said plug rod having a bottom cone, a plurality of radial through holes through said bottom cone, and an axial hole axially upwardly extended from the center of said bottom cone to a top end thereof in communication with said radial through holes, said radial through holes being received inside said stopper body and sealed by said stopper body when said plug rod moved to said first position, said radial through holes being extended out of said stopper body when said plug rod moved to said second position; and a lever pivoted to the top end of said plug rod and adapted to move said plug rod between said first position and said second position. 